The Federal Budget as an Instrument of Political Conflict in Iraq: Baghdad and Erbil Relations
Since the adoption of the 2005 Iraqi Constitution, Iraq has formally operated as a federal state. The aim was to distribute authority over natural resources, fiscal powers, and regional autonomy. The Constitution establishes joint ownership of oil and gas (Articles 111-112) and recognizes the Kurdistan Region and its authorities (Articles 117, 121, 141). It also […]
External and Internal Factors Behind the Setbacks in Rojava (Syrian Kurds)
The political entity that the Kurds in Syria developed in the aftermath of the Syrian popular uprising of 2011 was the result of years of struggle and resistance by the Kurdish people in Syria. However, it is not possible to overlook two fundamental factors that led to its emergence, expansion and consolidation. First, the weakening […]
The Aorta of the World Economy: The 2026 Strait of Hormuz Crisis
The 1980s Tanker War and the 2026 Crisis: A Historical Comparison To situate the present crisis analytically, it is essential to engage seriously with the historical precedent most frequently invoked by policymakers and commentators: the Tanker War of 1984 to 1988, which constituted the last major episode of systematic maritime interdiction in the Persian Gulf. […]
War in Iran: Can the Iranian regime truly sustain a long-term blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz?
Iran has decreed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for the global economy. Interview with Dr. Adel Bakawan for 20minutes, written by journalist Anne-Laëtitia Béraud.
Targeting the Pillars of State: United States-Israel’s Strikes on Iranian Police Stations, Border Guards, and the Tehran Bazaar
EISMENA’s correspondent in Iran – The military operations conducted by Israel against Iran beginning on February 28, 2026 departed in significant ways from the targeting logic of previous strikes. Rather than confining itself to nuclear facilities and missile infrastructure, Israel systematically attacked the coercive apparatus of the Iranian state police stations, border guard posts, and the commercial heartland of the Tehran Bazaar.